Training of Technology Licensing Specialists : From Survey of Academic Backgrounds in TLOs of US Universities(<Special Report>Professionals to Promote Industry-Academia-Government Collaboration)

Abstract

In this paper I surveyed career paths and academic backgrounds of licensing specialists in Technology Licensing Offices (TLOs) of US universities and institutes. Many of them were the "Multi-major talents" who has both degrees in science-related and business-related fields. Next I analyzed the recruitment strategies of the universities and institutes surveyed. It was shown that the three types, 1) focusing on legal experience as NIH's OTT, 2) Focusing on young Ph.D. as UCSF and 3) Not referring to degrees as Stanford, was seen in TLOs of US universities and institutes yielding large licensing income. The interview of administrators of those offices was consistent with the data accumulated in this study. According to these results, I examined how to train the specialists for university-industry collaboration and technology transfer in Japan.